Chemical Approval Revoked
Following the approval by the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) earlier this year of 'Amistar' for managed amenity turf, PSD have now issued a Notice of Revocation, outlawing the use of this chemical. Click here for full details.

Date for your diary. Our next 'Live Chat' Forum will take place on Monday the 14th July starting at 5pm. Our Editor will be interviewing Keith Vertigan and David Harrison from Sisis Equipment (Macclesfield) Ltd. The topics of discussion will include aeration techniques and benefits of scarifying. The forum usually goes on for a couple of hours, so if you would like answers to some of those burning questions please join us and ask the lads 'Live' on-line. For all previous interviews click here.

Many of you may have spotted some of our articles in the highly rated 'Turf Professional' Magazine. In reciprocation we are offering Pitchcare members the opportunity to get a free 3 month subscription to Turf Professional.

Just click here and fill in your details to receive your three free copies. We know that you'll enjoy the magazine.

Only a few more days to get your answers in for this month’s competition. June’s questions focus on general turf care. As in previous months, you have the chance to win a fantastic adventure prize and, by responding to the topical issue question, the possibility of sunning yourself on some palm lined, sandy beach courtesy of the overall £2,000 main prize.

Test your knowledge and have some fun. You never know - the next winner could be you. Click here for more details.

As reported last month, Pitchcare, in association with Cricket World, have launched the Cricket Groundsman of the Year Awards 2003.

The awards are designed to raise the interest and awareness of Groundsmanship and to encourage and promote Groundsmen in cricket at all levels.

We have already received a number of entries, but we want a lot more from players, umpires, administrators and local authorities. Nominations can be for the ground or Groundsman and can relate to the general upkeep of the ground, the longevity of service, or an ‘against all odds’ achievement.

There are 3 categories – club, school and local authority, based on 9 regions across the UK.

This is your opportunity to bring some recognition to grass roots sport and the people who work tirelessly to get the matches on. Nominations can be sent in to CGC@pitchcare.com.

Membership hit the 5,000 mark on June 18th at exactly 7:06 pm. We ran a bit of a fun competition to see who could predict the arrival time of our milestone member, and the winner was Matt Taylor from Hampshire. He is now the proud recipient of an exclusive, limited edition Pitchcare polo shirt.

And the bandwagon keeps on rolling. In the few days since we passed the 5,000, another 82 members have come on board!

Recently, due to the increased volume of use, we have been experiencing slower download times and errors on the site. As a result our web monkey, Al, has been strapped to the computer with the task of upgrading the system as a matter of urgency. For two weeks solid, his little paws have been working diligently across the keyboards and, I am pleased to report, with great success. The final upgrading of the site will be completed at the end of this month. There will be no obvious changes on the front end initially, but your download times will be much faster. The new system will also enable us to provide more and better interactive services

Thanks for your patience while this work is taking place.

Message Board queries – More calls for help from members. One was asking about the benefits of rolling grass cuttings into the wicket, with another looking for a way of contacting a County cricket pitch advisor in the Yorkshire area. Can you help, or do you need help yourself? Click here for more details.

Visit our sponsors – Support from our sponsors is much appreciated and helps to retain free access for all of our members. Have a look at what Pitchcare's sponsors have to offer. In many cases, they provide our members with discounted prices on their products and services. Remember to view our sponsors websites.

Second hand machinery – Everything from a Hayter triple mower to a SISIS set of tines. The Barter Room has to be the first point of call for all your second hand machinery requirements. Click here for more details.

Jobs page – Head Groundsman at Catterick racecourse, Groundsman at a Premiership football club, landscaping positions in Yorkshire and a Greenkeeper at a golf club in East Surrey are among the newest positions to be advertised with Pitchcare. Click here for more details.

Weather - We offer our members free weather information right to your post code. If you're looking for more specific weather details, why not speak direct to the duty forecaster, live and in person on 09061 992 069. Or click here to view all of our bespoke weather services. Calls cost £1.50 per minute at all times. Available from 0800 to 2000, seven days a week (except Christmas Day). Average call time under three minutes.

As we write this newsletter, our membership sits at 5082 members; not too bad at all in 21 months. However, if we want to drive the industry forward, providing advice, shared knowledge, better conditions, education and pay, then the bigger the membership the more strength we have to achieve this. Our industry deserves to be viewed as professional, so we are asking you to recommend Pitchcare to at least 1 of your colleagues. To send this newsletter to them fill in their email address and name:

Pitchcare was designed and is run by fellow Groundsmen and Greenkeepers for Groundsmen and Greenkeepers. Remember, Pitchcare is your site.